The white sheets rustled lightly as Zephany stirred in her hospital bed. Her lashes fluttered open, and the stark brightness of the ceiling above slowly came into focus. She blinked. Her head felt heavy, like she had just woken from a long dream she couldn't quite remember. Her hand weakly gripped the edge of the blanket. A strange stillness hung in the air, and her limbs were sore as if they had been asleep for days.
Across the room, Kendrick's fingers twitched. He groaned softly and opened his eyes. For a moment, he just lay there, trying to understand what had happened. The sterile smell of the room, the faint hum of machines, and the soft beeping near his bed slowly pulled him into full awareness.
Their eyes met across the room. Zephany's heart skipped. Kendrick blinked a few times, surprised.
"Kendrick?" she said weakly.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. His voice was hoarse. "Zephany?"
